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Blair calls for stronger education reforms

Former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair says the failure of public-private partnerships in the region is because education departments are too nervous to allow “change-makers” to come into the system.

“People have an education system where parents often feel they can’t really challenge it. Politicians in a way feel they have to defend the system. The consequence, therefore, is changing education systems becomes very difficult,” said Blair.

Blair was briefly in Dubai for the opening of the Global Education and Skills Forum, where he was welcomed by Shaikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, UAE Minister of Culture, Youth and Community Development.

Speaking to international delegates and school educators from across 46 different countries, Blair called on the need for stronger reforms in education to fight “vested interests” in his keynote address.

“Most countries have systems and those systems often resist the change that is necessary. In today’s world, you need a range of education providers. You’ve got to allow schools to develop the leadership and ethos that give them their distinctive identity,” Blair told the audience that included education ministers and delegates from the GCC region.

“Today’s economy depends on educating people to be creative and innovative. An education system that succeeds is one which does not just teach people basic skills. It is actually educating them to have a mind that is open — open to people, new ideas and fresh ways to doing things.” Shaikh Nahyan lauded Blair as “a global leader who understands the importance of education for a better future”.

The two-day education forum is being hosted to address the challenges of building new partnerships between the public and private sector to improve education.

Earlier, Shaikh Nahyan reiterated UAE’s commitment to building education.

“We in the UAE are firmly committed to the importance of education for our national development. Our progress as a country and our successful participation in the global economy depends on the wise use of our education resources. Education should strengthen our communities to create a future which will build a better world.”

The Forum, hosted by GEMS Education between March 15 and 17, brings together world leaders, education experts, CEOs, researchers, multilateral agencies and NGOs to discuss issues related to the slogan of the forum: “Meeting Challenges in Education & Skills – Governments & Private Sector working together to achieve results”.

muaz@khaleejtimes.com